Nursing-nipple.



No. 639,!48. S Patented Dec. l2, I899.

. c. CATLETT. I

uun'sme NIPPLE.

(Application filed Nov, 14, 1896.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES: I INVENTOR #7 7 5 ATTORNEY&

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES CATLETT, OF STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO CHRISTIAN WILLIAM MEINEOKE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

NURSING-NIPPLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 639,148, dated December 12, 1899.

Application filed November 14, 1896. Serial No. 612,159. N model-l T0 CbZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES OATLETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Staunton, in the county of Augusta and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Nursing-Nipples, of which the following is a specification.

In the use of nursing-nipples annoyance is caused by the collapsing of the nipple due to the formation of a fold over the perforation, the result of which is that the pressure of the air caused by the suction holds the perforation closed. It is impossible to locate only one or two holes so that this annoyance will not occur. Stilfening the nipple will in some degree prevent such collapse; but such stiffening not only adds to the cost, but as the nipple becomes older or softer the line across the perforation becomes a line of weakness, and the folding and collapsing readily occur. By using three complete perforations placed out of alinement with one another-as, for example, in form of an equilateral triangle on a plane at a right angle to the length of the nipple and a short distance from the point-the nipple is prevented from collapsing or from remaining collapsedas, for example, after its sides have been bit or pressed together. The number of perforations should of course be limited to prevent an overabundant discharge of milk or fluid; but three holes placed out of alinement, as stated, have been found to give satisfactory results.

This invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the nipple. 2 is a sectional side elevation of Fig. 1.

The nipple comprises the inlet portion 1 2, adapted to engage a bottle-mouth, the neck portion 2 3, and the mouthpiece or bulb or Fig.

discharging part 4 and is provided with a single milk-passage, as shown in the drawings. The discharge openings or perforations 5, three in number, are arranged out of alinement with one another, as stated. These three non-alined holes leading from a single milk passage prevent the nipple remaining collapsed, and as said holes are located. somewhat away from the apex or top point of the bulb 4 there is less danger of strangulation and a more thorough mixing of the saliva with the milk before it reaches the stomach, as the milk passes into the mouth in laterallyflowing streams, and not directly, as would result from an opening at the apex of the bulb. By making the perforations sufficiently small such triperforated nipple will not discharge the milk more rapidly than is required, and in case the nipple is collapsed or folded across two of the perforations, as by a vacuum in the bottle, the third perforation will allow the entrance of air for opening or spreading the nipple.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. Asa new article of manufacture a nursing-nipple provided with a single milk-passage three non-alined perforations leading therefrom, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture a nursing-nipple provided with a single milk-passage three non-alined perforations leading therefrom and placed clear of the apex of the nipple, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES CATLETT.

Witnesses M.-L. OOYNER, G. G. CHILD. 

